The subpoena required the security manager at Century
Bank to supplyinformation about the M&G account from January 1 to this
week. The documentalso demanded records of all cheque transactions done
during that period.The police were investigating possible contravention of
the Reserve BankAct.

However, the Reserve Bank in a statement on
Wednesday said it was not awareof any investigation and had no reason to
suspect the M&G was in breach ofthe RBZ Act.

"From our
records and pending cases, the Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe has nothad any
reason or cause to investigate the M&G for the allegedmisdemeanours,"
said Mirirai Chiremba, the division chief for Bank UsePromotion and
Suppression of Money Laundering.

"We do not have reason or
information to suggest that M&G has a case toanswer to us. Accordingly,
we are unable to intervene to stop the courts whoappear to be acting on a
complaint or information filed by themember-in-charge, ZRP - CIU (Commercial
Intelligence Unit) Harare Central asstated in the documents faxed to us.
Maybe the police can shed more light onthis issue which has certainly not
stemmed from us."

Officials at Century Bank declined to disclose
details about the policevisit.

Sources in the bank however told the
Independent two officers from the CIU,Detective Sergeant Mwadewenyu and
Constable Katsenga, visited the bank onWednesday morning armed with the
subpoena and asked to see all the M&Gaccount information held by the
bank.

"They took bank statements dating back to January and also a
documentadvising the addition of Mr Raphael Khumalo (Independent group
generalmanager) as a signatory to the account," said the
source.

M&G publisher Trevor Ncube said yesterday it was the
policy of his companiesto ensure that the laws of all the countries they
operated in wererespected.

"Business all over the world thrives
where there is law and order and wherethe rule of law is upheld," he
said.

"We are however alarmed by recent developments in Zimbabwe
where the law isselectively applied and where government institutions are
personalised andabused.

"We are shocked by this invasion of
privacy under the pretext ofinvestigating externalisation of foreign
currency. This latest move isclearly a fishing expedition.

"The
intention, we suspect, is to create a pretext for the authorities totake
action against the M&G in Zimbabwe," Ncube said.

"While we are
confident the move will fail to uncover any evidence ofimpropriety on our
part, we have no doubt this episode represents yetanother attempt by the
Zimbabwean authorities to curtail press freedom."

Ncube said in view of
the Reserve Bank's statement that the M&G was notunder investigation, it
was clear that "somebody somewhere is abusing thepolice for their own
agenda".

The police last week visited the newspaper's distributors
after allegationsin the state media that the M&G's owners had plans to
print the paper inZimbabwe.

Zanu PF to rope in regional parties for
victoryDumisani MuleyaTHE ruling Zanu PF is trying to rope in governing
parties in the region tohelp it win next year's crucial parliamentary
election.

Zanu PF, which is under serious threat from the opposition
Movement forDemocratic Change (MDC), reportedly wants an absolute majority
to enable itto change the constitution to consolidate its grip on
power.

Zanu PF spokesman Nathan Shamuyarira said on Wednesday that
his party wasdetermined to remain in power "because there is nothing wrong
with that".

"Is there anything wrong in us trying to keep power?
Would you give awaypower if you had it? No one would want to lose power when
they have it,"Shamuyarira said.

"If you want to keep power and
you can do it by seeking the support offriends, there is nothing wrong. We
have a close relationship with the ANC(African National Congress) and other
parties in the region."

Zanu PF recently hosted a congress of former
liberation movements in theregion in a bid to forge closer ties and ensure
their support for PresidentRobert Mugabe's beleaguered
regime.

Shamuyarira said Zanu PF would hold a number of meetings with
ruling partiesin the region to "keep power". Mugabe is on record as saying
"as clear asday follows night.Zanu PF will rule forever". ANC deputy
president JacobZuma said in April that his party would remain in power
"until Jesus comesback".

Top ANC officials led by President Thabo
Mbeki held a meeting with a Zanu PFdelegation led by the party's chairman
John Nkomo last month to strengthenties.

Zanu PF reportedly wanted the ANC to help it secure a
sweeping majority inthe poll due in March next year. The ANC, which clinched
an overwhelmingmajority in the April election, is said to have agreed. The
party howeverdenied it.

Zanu PF only secured 51% of the vote in
Zimbabwe's controversialparliamentary election in 2000. The MDC, only formed
a few months before theelection, won 57 seats, while Zanu got 62. The MDC
mopped up all seats intowns, banishing Zanu PF to rural
areas.

However, Zanu PF maintained its parliamentary majority through
20 MPsdirectly appointed by Mugabe and 10 legislators appointed by the
ZimbabweChiefs' Council which is obliged to support Zanu PF.

The
MDC contested 38 of Zanu PF's victories in the courts and has so far
wonseveral cases. But they are on appeal.

Parly skirmish: Chinamasa to appear before
committeeItai DzamaraLEADER of the House of Assembly Patrick Chinamasa
is expected to appearbefore the special committee probing the incident
involving himself and MDCMP Roy Bennett nearly two months
ago.

Chinamasa will appear before the committee, chaired by Zanu PF MP
PaulMangwana, on Monday. Bennett and Zanu PF MP Didymus Mutasa, who was
alsoinvolved in the incident which saw Chinamasa floored, appeared before
thecommittee last week.

"I appeared before the committee twice
last week and will appear again thisSaturday," Bennett said on
Wednesday.

"They asked me to explain the incident that occurred in
parliament from mypoint of view and I said that my reaction was caused by
provocation."

Mutasa also said he had appeared before the committee but
refused to discussthe issue.

Mutasa, who is the Minister of
Special Affairs in the President's OfficeResponsible for Anti-Corruption and
Anti-Monopolies Programme, wassubsequently quoted by the Voice of America as
bragging that he "kicked him(Bennett) very hard" during the May 18 scuffle
in parliament.

The incident occurred during a debate on an adverse
report on the StockTheft Bill.

Bennett, who is the MP for
Chimanimani, floored Chinamasa after the Justiceminister alleged that
Bennett's forefathers were thieves and murderers.

Chinamasa further
infuriated Bennett by telling him to forget about hisCharleswood farm in
Chimanimani, which was occupied by the army in April.

Mutasa joined in
the scuffle and kicked Bennett from behind in defence
ofChinamasa.

Violent demonstrations were subsequently organised
by Zanu PF againstBennett. Zanu PF supporters declared Bennett banned from
Harare andManicaland province under which his constituency falls. They also
declaredhim banned from parliament.

ANZ distances self from ZimonlineArther
ChatoraTHE Chief Executive Officer of Associated Newspapers of Zimbabwe
(ANZ) SamSipepa Nkomo has dissociated his company from the new on-line
newspaperZimonline.

There has been speculation that Zimonline is a
re-incarnation of the closedDaily News and the Daily News On
Sunday.

"I, as the Chief Executive Officer of ANZ, wish to distance
the ANZ or anyof its staffers from that edition," he
said.

claimed that their management was squandering money on its
personal upkeeprather than on their welfare. Some workers said they would go
on strike iftheir chief executive Justin Mutasa remained
intransigent.

Mutasa is said to have threatened workers with
dismissal and to sue them fortheir allegations against his
management.

Workers are alleging that Mutasa bought $2,7 billion
worth of luxuryvehicles, creating an overdraft of $400 million at 200%
interest per annum,while they were told there was no money to meet their
salary demands. Theysaid the company bought Mercedes Benz MLs, Kompressors,
and E and C classesand Nissan Wolfs, while journalists use dilapidated pool
cars. Seniorcompany employees were said to be buying their current cars,
some of whichare two years old, for as little as $800 000.

The
workers claim there was corruption at Zimpapers with fuel being stolenby
senior managers for use at farms, while Natprint, the company's
printingdivision, was riddled with mismanagement. The workers alleged
nepotism atNatprint and other levels of Zimpapers.

Govt moves on FSIStaff WriterTHE government has
started to expropriate farms owned by FSI Agricom whichis linked to the
business empire of South Africa-based tycoon MutumwaMawere. This is being
done under the Land Acquisition Act.

Four FSI Agricom farms have already
been served with Section 8 notices, theIndependent heard this
week.

The move has been viewed as government's first step to
dispossess Mawere whohas been specified.

FSI Agricom confirmed
that four of its highly mechanised farms measuring 4305 hectares were served
with Section 8 notices last week.

The service of a Section 8 notice
implies that the property owner is allowed90 days to wind up operations and
vacate the farm.

"FSI farms, namely Risboro, Rogate, Bosbury and
Essex, were listed foracquisition by the state on June 4, and served with
Section 8 on July 9,"FSI said in a statement.

"We have initiated
the normal process of delisting with the Ministry ofLands, and discussions
are at an advanced stage."

Although Zanu PF recently indicated it would want to adopt
electoral lawreforms, Zimondi could still be involved, together with others
on thecurrent election bodies, in running next year's general
election.

Justice minister Patrick Chinamasa earlier this month told
a Zanu PFpolitburo meeting that he proposed the transfer of current
electoralofficers, in particular those in the Registrar-General's office, to
theenvisaged Zimbabwe Electoral Commission.

This could result in
the new agencies staffed with the same people,including Registrar-General
Tobaiwa Mudede who has been widely accused ofbias.

The ESC, based
on the fifth floor of Hardwicke House where intelligenceagents also operate
from, was laden with army officers before the 2002election. Reports have
indicated that the army played a decisive role indetermining the outcome of
the controversial election.

The ESC is chaired by Sobusa
Gula-Ndebele, a former military intelligenceofficer.

Despite the
proposed electoral changes, voter registration for next year'sgeneral
election is still being conducted by the current
compromisedinstitutions.

As a result, the opposition Movement for
Democratic Change (MDC) hascomplained that the exercise is "seriously flawed
and may well impede therights of the people to vote".

Ncube said people were
being "deliberately and systematicallydisenfranchised and as a result denied
the right to participate in thegovernance of their country".

"Of
great concern is the lack of publicity and the confusion surrounding
themobile voter registration programme," Ncube said. "A lot of potential
votersare not being given adequate opportunity to register for lack of
knowledgeand information."

The ESC replied to Ncube's letter,
admitting there had been "a number ofadministrative and logistical problems"
in the exercise. It then asked theRegistrar-General's office to extend the
exercise to July 30. However, it isunderstood this has not been done
notwithstanding the ESC's advice andadmission that potential voters could be
disenfranchised.

US envoy to pursue democracyGift PhiriUNITED
States ambassador-designate to Zimbabwe Christopher Dell has said hewill use
constructive engagement to ensure that Zimbabwe does not become afailed
state.

Contrary to a Herald story published on Tuesday claiming that Dell
recentlytold the US Senate that he would want to effect a "regime change"
inZimbabwe, Dell told the committee on Foreign Relations that he would want
torestore Zimbabwe to the democratic community of nations.

"If
confirmed," he said, "I would work to protect Americans and
Americaninterests, to help bring Zimbabwe back from the brink of
political,economic, social, and humanitarian disaster, to foster
conservation of itsworld heritage wildlife resources, and to restore
Zimbabwe as a suitablepartner for the United States and a friend in the
pursuit of democracy,stability, and prosperity."

Dell, who is
coming to Zimbabwe from Angola, said Washington had a clearinterest in
seeing Zimbabwe emerge from the current crisis as a "pluralisticsociety, a
contributor to regional stability, and an engine for
Africangrowth".

The envoy said there was need for dialogue
between Zimbabwe's politicalparties to resolve the country's deepening
economic and political crisis.

He never used the term "regime change" as
the Herald claimed in its story.

The state-controlled newspaper also
recently claimed British prime ministerTony Blair told parliament he was
working with the opposition MDC to stage a"regime change" in Zimbabwe when
he never used those words.

"Ideally, dialogue between the government
and opposition would level thepolitical playing field and lead to new, free
and fair, internationallymonitored elections," Dell said.

"Such a
result would reward and reaffirm the Zimbabwean people's faith indemocracy
and set the country back on the path to stability and prosperity."Dell has
been in the diplomatic service for 23 years, including his currentassignment
as ambassador to Angola. He previously served as the designatedchief of
mission in Kosovo and twice as deputy chief of mission in Bulgariaand
Mozambique.

Dell will replace Joseph Sullivan who is expected to
leave Zimbabwe soon.

IMF raises concern on governanceGodfrey
MarawanyikaALTHOUGH the International Monetary Fund (IMF) has deferred
Zimbabwe'ssuspension by six months, the institution has raised concerns over
issuespertaining to governance and human rights which it says kill
investorconfidence.

In its executive board report, the Bretton Woods
institution said thedisorderly implementation of the land reform had
contributed to a sharp dropin agricultural output.

"Concerns
about governance and human rights, and the continued lack ofclarity about
property rights have severely damaged confidence, discouragedinvestment and
promoted capital flight and emigration," the report said.

The failure
to respect property rights in 2000 led to the resignation offormer Industry
and International Trade minister Nkosana Moyo over factoryinvasions
spearheaded by war veterans.

The IMF's decision not to suspend
Zimbabwe gives the country an opportunityto strengthen its cooperation with
the Washington funder, the report said.

In the report the IMF noted
unemployment was still very high and wasincreasing. The report said social
conditions which were once among the bestin Africa had worsened, with the
widespread HIV/Aids pandemic remaininglargely unchecked.

The Commercial Farmers Union
(CFU) yesterday said at least six wheat farmersin the Karoi area were under
pressure to leave immediately.

"The farmers are being told to pack up
and leave their homes," the CFU saidin a statement. "They have been informed
that police will not assist if thenew 'owner' comes and throws their
belongings out of their houses."

The CFU said all the farmers were
challenging the Section 8 notices incourt, and had applied for a stay of
execution to harvest their wheat crop.

"These applications appear to
have been ignored by the individuals involvedin the evictions and the
current wave means that only six farmers remainoperational in Karoi, down
from more than 200 in the year 2000," said theCFU.

CFU officials
said the farmers who were still on their properties were thosewho had been
encouraged by government to stay on the land and grow cropslike wheat and
tobacco.

"Farmers are being told to get out of
their only homes by governmentofficials. Mashonaland West governor Nelson
Samkange allegedly gave thefarmers 48 hours to leave with their personal
belongings only." Sources saidthey were ordered to leave their vehicles,
tractors and equipment, and toforfeit crops on the ground.

Bulawayo mayor's powers 'usurped'Staff
WriterBULAWAYO governor Cain Mathema has been accused of usurping the powers
ofthe city's mayor Japhet Ndabeni Ncube by taking over the running of
severalkey areas of the city.

Information gathered by the Zimbabwe
Independent this week show that Mathemahas taken control of the committee
responsible for organising statefunctions that include the Independence Day
celebrations and Heroes Daycommemorations.

Mathema has also taken
charge of the Aids Action Committee, the ProvincialDevelopment Committee,
the committee responsible for co-ordinating droughtrelief programmes in the
city and the Civil Protection Committee.

Before Mathema's
appointment, the Bulawayo City Council ran all thesecommittees. Councillors
have complained about Mathema's moves.

But Ncube denied that Mathema had
usurped his powers.

"We were in charge of those functions before
because we were the rightfulauthority to deal with those issues at the time.
But now that Mathema hastaken over these committees it is fine since they
involve stateintervention," Ncube said.

In an interview this week, Bennett said Arda had over the past
two weeksseized 152 Beef Master beasts valued at $2 million each, and
relocated themto one of its farms in Chikomba district.

"Over the
past fortnight, Arda stole 152 cattle from Charleswood andrelocated them to
Charter Estates in Chikomba where I also have reliableinformation that they
branded the cattle with an Arda brand superimposedover my brand," Bennett
said.

"What Arda has done constitutes stock theft
under common law," Tsunga said."The taking of movable property, including
cattle, with the intention ofpermanently depriving the owner, in this case
by a parastatal, with theacquiescence of the state, is definitely
theft."

Arda invaded Charleswood on April 9 in collaboration with the
ZimbabweDefence Forces and Zimbabwe Defence Industries in defiance of seven
HighCourt orders barring the state or anyone else from interfering in the
farm'soperations.

Bennett's lawyers have since made yet another
urgent application to the HighCourt, which cites Arda chief executive
officer Dr Joseph Matowanyika asrespondent, for an order to remove all Arda
equipment from Charleswood.

Bennett has filed almost a dozen
applications in the courts to block theillegal takeover of his farm. The
government has ignored the orders.

A letter dated July 8 written by
Trust Maanda, a Mutare lawyer of HenningLock Donagher & Winter legal
practitioners, acting for Bennett BrothersFarming Enterprises (Pvt) Ltd, to
Jakachira & Company, which representsArda, said Arda was in contempt of
court.

"We write to inform you that your client Arda is in contempt
of the HighCourt order in that it continues to be in occupation of our
client's farm inspite of the order that ordered it (Arda) to vacate the farm
and not tointerfere with our client's operations," the letter
says.

Ranger implicated in $55m briberyGodfrey
Marawanyika/Ndamu SanduA SENIOR National Parks game ranger has been
implicated in a bribery caseinvolving $55 million to allow a South African
firm to conduct illegalhunting.

Documents in the possession of the
Zimbabwe Independent show that ThomasChimedza was paid $55 million by Out of
Africa, a South African-registeredfirm, which wanted to conduct hunts in
Matetsi Unit 1, Gwayi and Hwangearea.

National Parks authorities
have investigated the case and concluded thatChimedza was bribed to allow
the illegal hunting. Chimedza, however, deniesthe charge.

The
documents reveal that on May 13, principal warden for investigations
andsecurity, Leonard Nhidza, wrote a report to the acting
director-generalinforming him of the findings of
investigations.

"In view of the investigations currently under way in
relation to thebribery allegations against senior ranger Chimedza, in
Matetsi, it has beenestablished that the officer seriously compromised
himself by acceptingmoney from Out of Africa," Nhidza wrote.

"The
investigations have secured documentary evidence to the effect thatChimedza
received money in cheque form and cash from Out of Africa."

The
report said that as a result of the bribes, Chimedza allegedly allowedthe
South African firm to use electronic lion calls at night, spotlights
andtrophy laundering.

"Through trophy laundering, the South
Africans were allowed to hunt onMatetsi Unit 1 but the hunting returns would
reflect as if the animals werehunted on some other private properties,"
Nhidza said. "This would prejudicethe Parks Authority of trophy fees and
other related charges."

But Chimedza has denied any wrongdoing, saying
the payments were made forhunting activities he conducted for the Safari
company.

Meanwhile, the chief warden of the National Parks and
Wildlife

Management Authority, Lovemore Mungwashu, has stepped down after
23 years ofservice due to alleged interference in day-to-day running of his
departmentby the chairman, Buzwani Mothobi.

"Things came to a
head a fortnight ago when the chairman dressed him down infront of juniors
during a meeting," officials said.

But Mothobi said that the
allegations against him were unfounded.

"The only thing I can say on
those allegations is that they are a load ofrubbish, that is the best I can
say about them," he said.

Hunger claims 12 more in BulawayoLoughty
DubeDESPITE claims by the government that the country has adequate food to
lastup to the next harvest, 12 more people died of malnutrition in
Bulawayoalone in the last month.

The latest deaths come at a time
when the government and international donoragencies are embroiled in a row
over the food situation in the country.

Figures from the Bulawayo
City Council Health department show that 10children, four boys and six
girls, under the age of 14 died last month ofhunger. Two male adults aged 29
and 30 years also succumbed to malnutrition.

The deaths came barely
two months after 38 people died of starvation
inBulawayo.

Government has said it expects a bumper harvest
despite estimates to thecontrary by independent crop
forecasters.

Zimbabwe Liberation Peace Initiative president, Max
Mnkandla, whoseorganisation has been vocal against political discrimination
in thedistribution of food in rural areas, said government was misleading
thenation and the international community on the food situation in the
country.

Mnkandla said it was hypocritical for government to claim there
was enoughfood when people were dying of malnutrition.

"Joseph
Made and President Mugabe must stop misleading the nation and
theinternational community because there is hunger all over," Mnkandla
said."Right now they are saying the country has enough food but they are
failingto tell the nation and the international community the exact tonnage
thecountry has in its granaries."

Power struggles erupt as primaries loomAugustine
Mukaro/Gift PhiriFIERCE power struggles have erupted in the ruling Zanu PF
between sittingMPs and aspiring candidates for the 2005 parliamentary
election, theZimbabwe Independent heard this week.

The battles were
reignited by President Robert Mugabe's recent announcementthat Zanu PF would
field only candidates chosen through primary electionsand not "consensus"
endorsements.

Highly-placed sources said primary elections were
scheduled for October.

The sources said Zanu PF would be holding primary
elections in more than 20constituencies after allegations of poor
performance against many sittingMPs.

"The electorate lost faith
in a number of sitting MPs when they were eitherimplicated or taken to the
courts on allegations of corruption," a sourcesaid.

The sources
say there are a number of potential clashes looming over theprimary
elections.

Zanu PF chairman John Nkomo is expected to take on
Information ministerJonathan Moyo in Tsholotsho.

Ministers Stan
Mudenge and Paul Mangwana have accused aspiring candidates intheir
constituencies, Masvingo North and Kadoma East respectively, of usingdirty
tricks in their campaigns.

Former
ZBC's Bulawayo bureau chief Makhosini Hlongwane wants to wrestleMberengwa
East from Minister of State Enterprises and Parastatals,
RugareGumbo.

Zanu PF chief whip and Mberengwa West MP Jorum Gumbo
confirmed the candidacyof Hlongwane in the Midlands constituency but could
not give details,referring all questions to the incumbent Mberengwa East
MP.

Chinhoyi MP Philip Chiyangwa is also under threat from businessman
MacDonaldChapfika, younger brother of Mutoko North MP David
Chapfika.

Chiyangwa's recent clash with Makonde MP Kindness Paradza
has increased thethreat to his grip on Chinhoyi.

Sources say
Paradza could also face stiff competition in Makonde from LeoMugabe whom he
defeated last year.

Mugabe has already declared his intention to try
his luck again. But Paradzahas been mobilising resistance.

There
are constituencies where sitting MPs have either been ousted orindicated
that they would not be standing for reelection.

Mazowe West MP Chris
Kuruneri could be replaced as he is currently in remandprison on allegations
of externalising foreign currency.

In Gutu South, incumbent MP Shuvai
Mahofa is understood to be eyeing ChiviSouth where she is likely to face
Charles Majange. Mahofa however dismissedlinks to Chivi South, insisting
that she will be standing in Gutu South.

Arda pleads for Kondozi equipmentAugustine
MukaroTHE Agricultural and Rural Development Authority (Arda) wants Barclays
Bankto leave some of the former owner's equipment on Kondozi Farm in Odzi
foruse by the parastatal, the Zimbabwe Independent heard this
week.

Highly-placed sources at Barclays said Arda chief Joseph
Matowanyika thisweek pleaded with the bank not to execute in its totality a
High Court orderto withdraw agricultural equipment, previously owned by
Kondozi FreshProduce, from Kondozi Farm which was taken over by Arda earlier
this year.

The High Court two weeks ago ruled that the equipment at
Kondozi should bereturned to Barclays Bank which had invested heavily in the
horticulturalproject. This followed the invasion of Kondozi by Arda in
April.

"Arda indicated that they were interested in mostly tractors,
irrigationequipment and crop packing machines," sources
said.

"Independent evaluators have been dispatched to Kondozi to put
a price tagon the equipment which Arda wants. Negotiations are under way and
Barclayshas set conditions that Arda has to abide by before using the
equipment."

Matowanyika was not available for comment. Sources said
Barclays wasamenable to the deal although it was demanding a deposit upfront
beforereleasing the equipment to Arda.

A fortnight ago the High
Court confirmed Barclays Bank of Zimbabwe's orderto repossess all movable
farming equipment on Kondozi Farm.

The violent seizure of Kondozi Farm by Zanu PF through Arda and
the abruptclosure of the horticultural concern adversely affected the
company'sfinanciers, Barclays-Fincor, Zimbank-Syfrets and the African
BankingCorporation who had collectively invested about $37 billion in the
project.

A provisional order granted by Justice Charles Hungwe in May
placed allmovable assets at Kondozi under judicial attachment and barred
Arda fromusing or tampering with the equipment.

Zanu PF fanning violence - ChamisaMunyaradzi
WasosaMOVEMENT for Democratic Change (MDC) national youth chairman Nelson
Chamisahas blasted President Robert Mugabe for what he termed "exploitation
of theyouth for political expediency" by encouraging them to use violence in
ZanuPF's election campaign.

Chamisa said Mugabe's statements at a
Zanu PF youth congress held at theUniversity of Zimbabwe on Saturday
appeared to advocate violence.

"The exploitation of Zimbabwe's youths
for the purposes of politicalexpediency by Mugabe and Zanu PF is destroying
our national fabric andsowing seeds of long-term instability," Chamisa said
in a statement thisweek.

"In Harare last Saturday Mugabe
illustrated once again his willingness toexploit the desperation and
vulnerability of the nation's youths."

Addressing a crowd of about 2
000 youths, Mugabe urged them to wage a"vigorous campaign" to win next
year's parliamentary election and warnedthat he would hold them "answerable
for any defeat".

PRESIDENT Robert Mugabe's comfort zone at African summits seems to
berapidly shrinking as the continent's leaders begin to speak out
againstprolonged dictatorships and human rights abuses.

Mugabe's life
at last week's crucial African Union (AU) summit in AddisAbaba, Ethiopia,
was made difficult by the AU Commission on Human and People's Rights report
which condemned repression and human rights in Zimbabwe.The Zimbabwean
delegation to the summit seized the limelight - for all thewrong reasons -
after the continental body's executive council broke withtradition and
"noted" the stinging report, leaving Harare authoritiesexposed to a barrage
of criticism at home and abroad.

Zimbabwe Lawyers for Human Rights said
the report was a clear "demonstrationof the independence and fearlessness on
the part of the commission".

"There is absolutely no doubt that the
commission came to a correctconclusion on the merits of the case when it
made the finding that Zimbabwehad violated human rights," the group said.
"It is difficult for anyinformed and genuine person to find fault with the
commission's findings."

The newly formed Zimbabwe Journalists for Human
Rights said the reportshowed African leaders were no longer locked in a
revolutionary solidaritymindset and handcuffed to the past.

"Just
like its predecessor, the OAU, which freed Africa from the bondage
ofcolonialism, the AU also faces a more or less similar challenge of
freeingits people from current tyrannical regimes holding sway across a vast
swatheof the continent," the journalists' group said.

"AU leaders
have shown that they are no longer programmed by history and arewilling to
tackle despots in their midst. This will certainly enhance theircollective
credibility and allay fears that the AU would eventually beturned into a
club of dictators."

The opposition Movement for Democratic Change (MDC)
initially welcomed thereport but later expressed disappointment when AU
leaders apparently letZimbabwe off the hook.

Analysts say it is
increasingly becoming clear Mugabe is now being hauntedby the excesses of
his repressive rule wherever he goes. Foreign ministerStan Mudenge had a
nightmare as he struggled to defend the indefensible andended up imposing a
seven-day deadline on himself to formally respond to thereport which he
claimed - against clear evidence to the contrary - thatZimbabwe had not
seen.

Delegates to the summit reportedly remarked that if it was true
Mugabe andhis delegation had not seen the report, they were the only
ones.

This made Harare authorities appear as if they were ill-informed
aboutissues relating to their own country. In a bid to ward off pressure,
Mudengeagreed to respond to the report in seven days.

His ministry
was last Friday reported to be racing against time to beat thedeadline which
was due the following day. Foreign Affairs spokespersonPavelyn Musaka
confirmed government was working on a response to the reportin line with its
commitment to the AU executive council on July 3.

With his "African
brothers" no longer willing to whitewash his appallinggovernance record,
analysts say Mugabe could soon be "smoked out" from hissolidarity
cocoon.

Mugabe often seems to enjoy summits where populist grandstanding
takesprecedence over issues of substance. But diplomatic observers say this
couldbe coming to an end. Mugabe is likely be made to feel uncomfortable at
nextmonth's Southern African Development Community (Sadc) summit in
Mauritiuswhich will discuss the conduct of elections in the
region.

Sadc leaders have of late been circulating the regional body's
proposedPrinciples and Guidelines Governing Democratic Elections which will
beendorsed in Port Louis in August.

Sources have said Zanu PF was
forced into adopting the recent electoralreforms by sustained regional and
domestic pressure. The next Sadc summit iswidely expected to tackle the
conduct of elections in the region, somethingthat could bring Zimbabwe into
sharp focus again.

Zimbabwe has in recent years become a global
flashpoint due to disputedelections and concomitant political instability,
which has been worsened bythe current economic crisis.

In what was
widely seen as an attempt to ratchet up pressure on entrenchedauthoritarian
leaders, United Nations secretary-general Kofi Annan duringthe opening of
the summit last week slammed dictators clinging onto power.

"Let us
pledge that the days of indefinite one-man or one-party governmentsare
behind us," Annan said to applause. "There is no greater wisdom and
noclearer mark of statesmanship than knowing when to pass the torch to a
newgeneration."

Annan's audience included Mugabe - Africa's oldest
president - and othercontinental strongmen such as President Gnassingbe
Eyadema of Togo and Gabon's Omar Bongo.

He said African leaders must
stop resisting democracy and embrace regularfree and fair elections, a
credible opposition whose role was respected, anindependent judiciary that
upholds the rule of law, a free and independentpress, effective civilian
control over the military and a vibrant civilsociety. Mugabe has in the past
claimed such issues are "peripheral andextraneous".

Information minister Jonathan
Moyo claimed the MDC, which described thereport as a "breath of fresh air",
had "smuggled" the issue onto the agendaat the behest of British Prime
Minister Tony Blair.

He also attacked former Law Society of Zimbabwe
president Sternford Moyowhom he accused of "unashamedly" using his position
to distort informationon Zimbabwe. Although the veteran lawyer declined to
become embroiled in apublic brawl with Moyo, he said the minister's claims
were misleading.

"The false and defamatory attack on me by the Minister
of State forInformation and Publicity is so outrageous as to be unworthy of
anysubstantive response," he said.

Current Law Society of Zimbabwe
president Joseph James also dismissed theminister's attacks against his
predecessor. He suggested the indignantofficial reaction was a calculated
distraction designed to submerge issuesunder a sludge of
rhetoric.

"Since 2002, the situation has not improved, and in fact, has
deteriorated.Court orders continue to be defied by the executive; arbitrary
arrests ofthe opposition continue; police appear partisan; and it is
virtuallyimpossible for persons who express views not in line with those
ofgovernment to hold demonstrations although government supporters have
noproblems in doing so," James said.

"This lack of respect of the law
has now permeated all levels of society . .. lawyers are denied access to
their clients routinely by police; lawyersare threatened with arrest during
the course of their duties; and there havebeen cases of magistrates being
threatened with assault."

WHEN
Unicef last week donated an ox-drawn ambulance to the Ministry ofHealth, it
did not know that the good gesture to help rural communitieswould become a
hot political subject drawing into its vortex the so-calledapartheid press
and Information permanent secretary George Charamba.

The seemingly
innocuous donation to transport maternity patients to ruralhealth centres
was seized on by the international media which pointed outthat Zimbabwe was
sliding backwards. One paper, in an overzealous metaphor,said the country
had regressed to the Stone Age.

The response from the hypersensitive
government information minders waspredictable.

Charamba told us that
there was nothing amiss about an emergency case beingtransported to a
hospital in a four-wheeler drawn by two oxen. The sameconcept was being
employed with mobile libraries. We were reminded thatZimbabwe remained a
leader on the continent and a noted contributor toglobal health
delivery.

"No amount of calumnies will take that spectacular record away
from her,"Charamba bragged.

Indeed, no amount of subterfuge can
disguise the fact that Zimbabwe issliding backwards - not to the Stone Age
but into poverty, deprivation andsickness. That is the spectacular
record.

In a release announcing the donation of nine 10km/h emergency
vehicles,Unicef chief of Health, Nutrition and Environment Dr Juan Ortiz,
made thisobservation: "The gains made over the last 20 years to address
maternalmortality, especially to provide emergency obstetric care services,
are atrisk of being lost.

"We know that most of the complications
related to childbirth arepreventable if obstetric services are available,
especially in remote areas.Collectively, we must work together to ensure
that all women have theirright to a safe pregnancy and delivery guaranteed,"
he said.

"In many rural communities, the average 10-kilometre walk to the
nearesthealth facility is too far for a pregnant woman, or a woman already
inlabour."

The nine ox-drawn ambulances stem from an idea initiated
by the Ministry ofHealth and Child Welfare and based on the commonly used
scotch-carts forrural transport.

The gains which Zimbabwe has made
over the past 20 years are definitelybeing lost. A colleague confided to me
this week that at Masase Hospital inhis rural Mberengwa home just before
Independence in 1980 a small plane usedto fly emergency cases twice weekly
to Mnene Mission about 60km away, whichwas the referral centre in the area.
That plane service ceased years ago.Ambulances have become a luxury at most
rural health centres. Mberengwa isone of the districts that have moved from
a plane to an ox-drawn ambulance.

That would be a more accurate metaphor
for Zimbabwe's decline! There areother more poignant signals to demonstrate
that there is no more lustre inthe once impressive record of government
service delivery.

The Human Development Report for 2003 notes that in
1995, 57% of Zimbabweanscould be classified as poor. That figure rose to 69%
in 2002.

Life expectancy has declined from 51,8 years in 1995 to the
currentconservative estimate of 33 years. Between 1995 and 2001 the
countryexperienced a 43% decline in access to healthcare. Infant
mortalityincreased from 40 to 65 per 1 000 live births in the period 1995 to
2000,while maternal deaths have risen from 283 per 100 000 live births
between1984 and 1994 to 695 in 2000. Human development experts say there was
noimprovement in all these indicators in 2003.

There are other
indicators which do not need scientific research but whichhelp to
demonstrate that there is nothing calumnious about stating thatZimbabweans
are not getting healthier. Doctors, nurses and other healthtechnicians have
fled state-induced poverty or political meddling in droves.Specialist
physicians are fast becoming a rare species. The government doesnot have
enough funds to procure medicines, equipment and vehicles tosupport the
health sector. But it continues to spend on luxury vehicles.

In the
capital Harare, residents in Tafara and Mabvuku have resorted todigging
shallow wells, which they share with their pets for drinking water.

The
city's authorities cannot supply clean potable water, somethingresidents
never experienced even during the 1992 drought.

It's dinner by candle
light for half the capital's residents. Nothingromantic here. The
electricity company Zesa cannot generate enough power andimports are also in
short supply. The deforestation around Warren Hills asresidents look for a
substitute to Zesa power is loud testimony to thegovernment's spectacular
record of failure.

While that may not justify assertions that we are
sliding into the StoneAge, we are certainly not progressing, especially in
the agriculturalsector. At one once highly mechanised farm now run by a High
Court judge,tractors have been replaced by ox-drawn ploughs. Wheat is
hand-planted andthe ripened crop is harvested with sickles instead of
combine harvesters.

But that is not surprising. Remember the jingle:
Mombe mbiri nemadhongimashanu sevenza nhamo ichauya.

LAST week the International Monetary Fund (IMF) board of
directorsconsidered, once again, whether Zimbabwe's membership should be
terminated.

In terms of the IMF constitution, termination of membership
would bejustified in view of the magnitude of Zimbabwe's default in
repayingborrowings from the IMF and, moreover, that Zimbabwe has not even
beenpaying the interest accruing on those borrowings. By now, Zimbabwe owes
theIMF more than US$309 million, which equates to approximately
$1,653trillion!

But Zimbabwe's membership of the IMF has not been
terminated. Instead,Zimbabwe was once again given a stay of execution. The
IMF resolved toreview the issue of Zimbabwe's membership in six months'
time.

Without making any threats, the IMF has made it clear that the
outcome ofthat review will be determined by the extent that Zimbabwe, during
the nextsix months, takes appropriate steps to reverse its economic decline
andplace the economy on a path to recovery.

That recovery must be
such as would, amongst many other consequences, enableZimbabwe progressively
to service and repay its debt to the IMF. The IMF hasmade it clear that it
does not expect Zimbabwe to repay the entire US$309million, and interest
thereon, instantly, and that it recognises that noeconomic upturn can be so
great as to enable instant settlement of theentirety of Zimbabwe's debt
obligations with the IMF. But it does expectZimbabwe to acknowledge that it
has to take some constructive andsubstantive measures to enable it to begin
to repay that which it owes.

The IMF decision is a welcome one, for it
was very widely anticipated thatthe IMF would decide that Zimbabwe had been
given more than enough chancestoregularise its debt relationship with the
IMF, none of which were availedof. Instead, Zimbabwe arrogantly rejected all
advice given by the IMF,notwithstanding that the advice was well-intentioned
and motivatedsolely toassist Zimbabwe.

Whilst it is possible that not
all the advice would have in reality beengood and sound for the Zimbabwean
environment, and not all of it would haveassured restoration of Zimbabwean
economic wellbeing, nevertheless it wasfounded wholly upon a genuine concern
for Zimbabwe and an intent to assistZimbabwe.

But over many years,
not only has Zimbabwe studiously ignored almost all ofthe advice
gratuitously given by one of its largest creditors, but Zimbabwehas
constantly viewed each and every advice with the deepest suspicionunless the
advice happened to coincide with the policies of the
Zimbabweangovernment.

Moreover, Zimbabwe's most frequent reactions to
any advice forthcoming fromthe IMF have been to not only reject the advice,
but to belittle both theadvice and their source. Zimbabwe has unhesitatingly
denigrated the IMF, hasrepeatedly suggested that the IMF policies have
failed almost wheresoeverthey were pursued, and that the IMF is nothing
other than a tool ofimperialists, colonialists, and profiteering purveyors
of globalisation. AndZimbabwe has steadily claimed that it does not need the
IMF, and that it cansuccessfully "go it alone".

Nothing could be
further from the truth. Admittedly, IMF policies have notalways achieved
economic transformation for economically distressedcountries. In some
instances the policies were ill-conceived and obliviousto some fundamental
conditions or circumstances in the affected countries.

In other
instances, the policies would have succeeded, had the countriesconcerned
implemented those policies with conviction and commitment, insteadof - at
best - paying lip-service only to the policies. Critics of
theIMFunhesitatingly focus upon the examples of failures to achieve
economicrecovery in countries that have pursued IMF revival strategies,
withoutanalysing the causes of the failures. All too often those causes were
thecountries' own fault, usually founded upon only selective implementation
ofthe policies, or that the implementation was pursued only
superficially,concurrently with pursuit of other, counter-productive
policies. And thecritics will never admit to proven successes of IMF
policiesandinterventions in many countries.

They will not recognise
the dramatic upturn of many of the countries ofEastern Europe after the
dissolution of the Soviet Union, the dramaticeconomic recovery of Mexico,
the economictransformation of India, and thenoticeable progress towards
strengthened economies in Mozambique, Uganda,Tanzania, Ghana and many
others. Instead,the critics cite only failures, andmost of those failures
were not because of defects in the policies, but weredefects in the policy
implementation.

There is equal misconception in the beliefs of some,
including PresidentRobert Mugabe, and the Minister of Industry and
International Trade SamuelMumbengegwi, and the Minister of Fiction, Fable
and Myth, and many others ofthe governmental hierarchy, that Zimbabwe does
not need the IMF and canachieve its much needed, long overdue, economic
metamorphosis without theIMF, without the World Bank, and without those
donor states as were, in thepast, staunch supporters of Zimbabwe. To support
their erroneouscontentions, they repeatedly use Malaysia as an example of
successfuleconomic transformation without IMF assistance. Malaysia did
achieve itseconomic change without the IMF, but its circumstances were
wholly differentto Zimbabwe.

It had an essentially sound financial
sector. It was highly industrialised.It had not brought to the edge of
destruction its principal productivesectors. And although its economy had
been in regression, it had not sunk tothe depths of collapse that
characterise Zimbabwe's economy. It had all thenecessary ingredients, and
the will to reverse its economic decline, and ithad no fear of discarding,
adapting and modifying its policies in order toachieve real economic
transformation. Also of major importance, it did notperceive as its enemies
the very countries with whom it had to interact tobring about its economic
change. It collaborated with those who weretheundoubted major potential
trading partners, it fostered friendshipsinstead of stimulating
confrontations, and it interacted far and wide toensure that it was a
recognised player in fields of international trade.

Zimbabwe's
circumstances are very different. Zimbabwe is insolvent. Zimbabwehas reduced
its main economic sectors, including agriculture, to the vergesof
extinction. Zimbabwe does naught but speak ill of those whowere, andshould
be, most of the country's major trading partners, including theUnited
Kingdom, the other countries of the European Union, the USA andmanyof the
countries in the Commonwealth. And Zimbabwe has tried hard toalienate bodies
such as the IMF. It is surprising, therefore, that onceagain the IMF has
given Zimbabwe a reprieve.

That it has done so is undoubtedly due to a
very great extent to thevigorous endeavours of the governor of the Reserve
Bank, Gideon Gono. TheIMF is fully aware of the very considerable efforts he
has made to applymonetary policies as would be a platform for economic
recovery or, at theleast, as would retard further economic
decline.

In addition, although only able to do it to a very token extent,
butnevertheless as a gesture of good faith, he procured that Zimbabwe
commencedmaking some nominal payments to the IMF.

Whatsoever the
reasons for the IMF reprieve, Zimbabwe must not be sostiff-necked as to
spurn the opportunity given to it. If for no reason otherthan to save even
more of Zimbabwe's 12 million people from everintensifying poverty, Zimbabwe
must grasp the lifeline thrown to it. Itmustuse the next six months to
reinforce Gono's monetary policies by aligningits fiscal policies with them.
And, of extreme importance, it must not allowthe forthcoming parliamentary
election considerations to divert it fromreversing prevailing destructive
government policies, restructuring the landreform programme constructively,
and in order to restore business confidenceand regain foreign direct
investment interest, must re-establish democracy,law and order and national
reconciliation.

Perhaps government needs to acknowledge Winston
Churchill's statement that:"Democracy is the worst form of government,
except for all those other formsthat have been tried from time to time,"
(undoubtedly including theZimbabwean form of government!). If government
would do so, Zimbabwe wouldcease to be an international pariah, and its
economy would interactpositively with the world.

PRESIDENT
Robert Mugabe launched his election campaign last weekend with ablistering
attack on the opposition which he accused of colluding with theBritish to
unseat him and recolonise Zimbabwe.

This was in sharp contrast to a
diplomatic offensive to mollify increasinglyimpatient regional leaders
through a raft of electoral reforms announced aweek earlier. The objective
was obvious - to win the forthcomingparliamentary election by any means
possible and still secure a patina ofinternational legitimacy.

Mugabe
did not mince his words: the election will be dirty and must be won.He told
Zanu PF youths attending the party's fourth National Youth Congressin
Harare: "We must teach them (the MDC) a lesson across the whole countrythat
Zimbabwe will never be a colony again. Go and work . If we lose
theelections, I will expect you in the youth league to be
answerable."

This is a presidential carte blanche writ large, and the
culture of impunityfor those who commit violence and other
politically-motivated crimes in thename of Zanu PF is well-established as
the African Union's Commission onHuman and People's Rights recently
noted.

To remove any trace of equivocation about the nature of their
"national duty", President Mugabe dubbed the poll the "anti-Blair elections"
to "sealthe ruling Zanu PF party's victory over the British prime minister
and hislocal puppets, the MDC".

In the past parliamentary and
presidential elections, Zanu PF hooligans andso-called war veterans were
given instructions to detain and torture MDCsupporters and former farm
workers in so-called "orientation camps". Thistime around they are being
told to teach those still not converted "a lesson".

The intention is
to taint the opposition MDC by association with Mugabe'sarch-enemy, Tony
Blair. Now that there is little to show for land reform,the bogey of a
British military invasion has had to be invented.

A columnist writing in
the state media recently exhorted people to "kill thequislings at the polls
next year".

The election strategists in Zanu PF cannot be accused of
lacking ingenuity.Running parallel to the physical harassment, torture and
beatings ofopposition supporters on the home front is a well-calculated
publicity blitzabout electoral reforms for the consumption of regional
leaders and theinternational community. These take the form of an
independent electoralsupervisory commission, one-day polling, counting of
ballots at pollingstations and the use of translucent ballot boxes - all
standard proceduresin the region.

Despite the bluster and
grandstanding about Zimbabwe's sovereignty, thisperiod of his presidency is
something Mugabe would probably like to forgetas soon as possible. Charges
of poll rigging and questionable legitimacyhave dogged all his days since he
was sworn into office in March 2002.

Any tinkering with the legislation
that would whitewash his regime asreformist is therefore a logical step. He
can tell observers that the lawswere reformed to allow everybody the right
to vote and reduce the chances ofelection-rigging. Whether theelection is
won by hook or by crook, it can beargued that Western imperialists don't
want to recognise as fair an electionwon by a nationalist like Robert
Mugabe.

But if the mumblings at last week's African Union summit in
Ethiopia are anycue, the days of debilitating third-worldly solidarity could
be over forthose who thrive on coercion to stay in power. It was perhaps
good domesticpolitics to pull out of the "white Commonwealth" in a huff, but
Mugabe canhardly repeat the performance at the AU.

And it looks like
peer leaders won't tolerate his blandishments for muchlonger. The "noting"
of the African Commission's searing report againstForeign Affairs minister
Stan Mudenge's strident protestations shows thatthe AU wants to shed the
legacy of the Organisation of African Union andhold its members accountable.
After all, that is the only way it can be seenas more than another toothless
talk shop.

President Thabo Mbeki's remarks, carried on Page 15 of our
paper today, showthat, despite scepticism in some quarters, he is serious
about goodgovernance on the continent and making the African Peer Review
Mechanism asuccess.

It is the same seriousness that is called for in
the Zimbabwean election.Electoral reforms must go beyond media publicity and
address such issues asthe role of youth militia, war veterans and members of
the uniformed forces.Then there is the role of the public media which
remains unashamedlypartisan.

Sadc's electoral guidelines, scheduled
for approval in Mauritius next month,are very clear on the sort of
environment member-states need to have inplace ahead of polling. Zimbabwe
does not come near to satisfying thoserequirements.

In case Mugabe's
injunction to the youths left them in any doubt about theirtask, that was
clarified by Zanu PF's national youth secretary AbsolomSikhosana. In an
interview he told the state broadcaster the youths came outof the congress
fully "charged to deal a fatal blow to Tony Blair and hislackeys in
Zimbabwe".

We are wondering where President Mugabe gets his intelligence
from. He toldZanu PF youths at the weekend that British prime minister Tony
Blair wasplanning to invade Zimbabwe Iraq-style.

"The British have
been making threats," he said. "Let them come. They willnot conquer us. We
know our bushes, caves and hideouts," he told his bemusedaudience, who were
warned they should be prepared to die.

"Just imagine how he will do it,
remove me and put (Morgan) Tsvangirai thereand you think the people will
accept it .Let him do it and he will regret."

So part of the threats are
all "imagined" because of the challenge posed byTsvangirai? Proceeding from
this imagined scenario, Mugabe went on to tellthe youths that Zanu PF could
not afford to lose next year's parliamentaryelection because that would be a
victory for Tony Blair. He didn't say inwhich constituency Blair would be
contesting. "It's an anti-Blair election.We must win it and demonstrate that
Zimbabwe shall never be a colony again,"he said.

This is nothing
short of hallucination by a leader who has run out ofcampaign material.
Nobody in their right mind would want to recolonise acountry that Zanu PF
depredations have reduced to a shell.

We all know that Mugabe is haunted
by his past and fears an MDC governmentmight want to hold him to account. If
there is anything British about theelection, it is Tony Blair's ghost that
has dogged Mugabe over the past fouryears because of human rights
abuses.

Talking of which, the dinosaur heading the Media and
Information Commission,posing as a political scientist, complained in ZBC's
Newshour on Monday thatthe African Commission on Human and People's Rights
came to Zimbabwe with"premeditated" notions about the human rights situation
"because of negativereports from Western media".

We have not bothered
what his doctoral thesis was based on. But we wouldreally be baffled to
learn that he embarked on it without preconceivednotions. The point is that
only the proven stands at the end of the day.Those who discovered that the
Earth is round at first thought it was flat!Why would the AU send a
fact-finding commission if there was no problem ofhuman rights in Zimbabwe?
Why was it not sent to Botswana, for instance?

Muckraker
understands the good doctor also gave testimony before thecommission.
Obviously on closer scrutiny it was found to be porous, andperhaps
completely unbelievable on a balance of probabilities, anddeservedly thrown
out. That must in part explain why the man is full
ofrancour.

Pursuant to his revisionist theories, Dr Tafataona Mahoso
said it was timeAfricans came up with their "own set of values and ideals"
of measuringhuman rights. The idea is that they should not be influenced by
one TonyBlair who allegedly foisted his imperialist values and ideals on the
Africancommissioners.

Muckraker reckons the cornerstone of such
values and ideals would be that it's not a crime to kill your own people or
that killing opposition supporterssuch as Tichaona Chiminya and Talent
Mabika in an election campaign are nothuman rights violations. Generally,
the thrust would be that Africans areless worthy and therefore liberal
Western human rights ideals are notsuitable for Africa.

It
looks like the fight against non-governmental organisations is not overyet.
It is not Amani Trust alone that is under attack by rabid
governmentapologists. The latest victim is the philanthropic donor
organisation thatfed thousands of families during long years of drought and
food shortages inMberengwa, Chivi, Mwenezi, Zaka, Beitbridge and much of
Matabeleland South,Care International.

In the past two weeks the NGO
has been pilloried for causing food shortagesin Masvingo, with the governor
for the province, that caricature whose bulkhas no proportion to his brain,
Josaya Hungwe, inciting people to claimcompensation from the
NGO.

Roped into the anti-Care International campaign this week
was Zanu PF'slosing candidate in the Harare Central constituency, William
Nhara. It wasclaimed Care supplied the wrong sorghum seed variety to the
people ofMasvingo as part of efforts to sabotage the land reform exercise.
Peoplewere warned to be wary of donor agencies sponsored by "unfriendly"
countrieslike Britain and the United States.

But it emerged at the
end of the news clip that all this was calculatedbaloney. The seed variety
complained of was sourced locally after CareInternational awarded a contract
to seed producers. It is only at the endthat we realise we are being led
down a garden path by deceptivepropagandists whose only contact with real
people is limited to what theyread in their own media, suitably couched in
the language they want tohear - a huge illusion.

Whatever the source
of the problem seed, we were not told why CareInternational had to intervene
when we have a government that pretends toknow it all.

We
would like to quote at length Mugabe's rantings against the people
hepurports to be fighting for. Ostensibly referring to Tony Blair's MDC,
theSunday Mail quotes him as urging his violent youths to launch a
"vigorouscampaign" to push Tony Blair's midgets out.

"We want to
teach them a lesson across the whole country that Zimbabwe willnever be a
colony again. Elections must be won not tomorrow, but today. Goand work," he
told the youths. Some may call this tough-talking,
othersincitement.

But soon it was clear what the source of the
bitterness was and Mugabe seeksto settle a personal score against the whole
country.

"The humiliation we suffered in the 2000 elections should humble
us and spurus to victory this time around. Can we rule from a city that is
in the handsof the enemy? Who then are the kings in Bulawayo? This is an
embarrassmentnot only to the Harare province youth league but to the whole
party."

So the hate speech he has been preaching in the past four years
is part ofefforts to assuage his humiliation at the hands of the MDC? And
why should aleader who purports to enjoy massive support stoop so low as to
divide thecountry between "followers and enemies?" Does Zimbabwe deserve
suchlow-calibre leadership? Muckraker reckons the man deserves the
finalhumiliation next year.

Then there was that childish
assertion that Zimbabwe is holy land.

"This is holy land, it is not only
Palestine that is holy land," Mugabe toldhis election foot soldiers at the
University of Zimbabwe. What he didn't sayis that the Palestinian Authority
doesn't bludgeon its own people to stay inpower. Nor is its intifada
against Israel an imaginary political rhetoric.

The increasingly
unhinged Nathaniel Manheru appears to think journalists onhis hit list may
want to hide from him. That is wishful thinking.Journalists should actually
welcome his threats. His column is the bestpossible advertisement for the
true colours of the delinquent regime heclaims to speak for. Without it we
may have thought the ruling party hadsome redeeming features!

Its
vicious intolerance of criticism, its hate-speech, its targeting ofethnic
minorities, its bigotry and deceit all offer unprecedented insightinto the
deeply troubled psyche of President Mugabe's court in the dyingdays of its
putrid rule and give Zanu PF the reputation it deserves.

Manheru is the
face of the beast - the "runaway monster" of his heading lastweek who
"darts" and "hounds" those who cross him. And it's important hismalevolent
agenda should be given the widest possible publicity even thoughreaders are
understandably reluctant to plough through his turgid text.

This, after
all, is the same individual who asserts his authority over themost senior
members of his own party, who claims the right to nominate thenext
attorney-general, and who edits reports of the president's speeches toensure
multiple-farm owners are spared too much unwelcome attention.

This is an
abuse of power writ large. But it doesn't end with settlingscores and
advancing his sinister career on the domestic scene. He alsodisplays barely
concealed contempt for African leaders such as PresidentsOlusegun Obasanjo
and Abdoulaye Wade who get in the way of his spuriousnationalist
agenda.

The two leaders were accused last week of doing the West's
bidding. Thenthere are the "traitors" on the African Commission for Human
and People'sRights who, unlike Mahoso, don't understand the importance of
concealingZimbabwe's persistent human rights violations in the name of
Africansolidarity.

The number of conspirators are multiplying by the
day, it would seem. Andwithout Mad-Dog Manheru's hounding help we wouldn't
know who to thank!

We liked the observation in Hogarth's column in the
Sun-day Times lastweekend that when Kofi Annan said "There is no truer
wisdom and no clearermark of sta-tesmanship than knowing when to pass the
torch to a newgeneration", Robert Mugabe and Sam Nujoma forgot to join in
the applause

Zim fails to stabilise IMF debtNgoni
ChanakiraZIMBABWE needs to settle its SDR 200 million (US$295 million)
arrears to theInternational Monetary Fund (IMF) before it can begin to repay
its US$350million debt, it emerged this week.

In its report on
Zimbabwe released last week, the IMF revealed that Zimbabwehad to date paid
only US$9 million in the period December to June.

As of December
2003, total external arrears were estimated at US$2 billion,up from US$1,3
billion at the end of December 2002.

Analysts said the arrears could
result in the IMF suspending Zimbabwe.

The IMF hinted at this in its
report when it "regretted that these payments(US$9 million) were
insufficient to stabilise the country's arrears".

The executive board
decided to postpone a recommendation for Zimbabwe'scompulsory withdrawal
from the fund, providing the country with anotherchance to strengthen its
cooperation in terms of economic policies andpayments.

The board
said it would consider again the (IMF) managing director'scomplaint
regarding Zimbabwe's withdrawal from the fund within six monthsand decide
whether to recommend to the IMF board of governors that Zimbabwebe asked to
withdraw.

"The board's decision does not impose further sanctions on
Zimbabwe, butrather provides the country with an opportunity to
significantly strengthenits cooperation with the IMF, with the aim of
addressing its economicdecline and resolving its overdue financial
obligations, prior to theexecutive board's next consideration of the
managing director's complaint,"the IMF said.

When he took over in
December, Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor Gideon Gonopromised that he
would make regular payments to the IMF in an effort to wipeout the country's
outstanding debt.

In an interview last week, Gono said the RBZ was
trying to settle the debtowed to the IMF and other international and local
creditors.

He said this would, however, take some time because
foreign currency was noteasily available - especially at a time when exports
were dwindling andbusiness was experiencing a severe
downturn.

"We continue with our scheduled payments that we promised
all internationaland local creditors when I took over," Gono said. "The IMF
issue is rathersensitive and we need to treat them very carefully because we
owe them quitea lot. We are making regular payments as promised and we will
continue to doso."

However, in its report last week the IMF
pointed out that Zimbabwe'spayments of US$9 million to date were
insufficient.

"Zimbabwe has been in continuous arrears to the IMF
since February 2001,"the IMF said. "As of end of June 2004 Zimbabwe's
arrears to the fundamounted to almost SDR (special drawing rights) 200
million (US$295million), or about 56% of its quota in the
IMF."

Last month Gono went on a three-nation economic crusade to the
United States(Dallas, Atlanta, Philadelphia, New York and Washington), the
United Kingdom(London, Birmingham and Oxford) and Johannesburg, South Africa
in a bid tosell his "Homelink" programme to Zimbabweans living
abroad.

He urged locals in the diaspora to send money home using
official channelsinstead of the parallel market to which they had become
accustomed.

Gono's trip to Washington focused on week-long
discussions with variousexecutive directors, management and staff of the two
Bretton Woodsinstitutions, the IMF and the World Bank, while at all other
stations, theteam focused on the promotion of "Homelink", an RBZ initiative
tailored tosuit the needs of Zimbabweans living outside the country who may
wish tosend money home.

The IMF, in its report, expressed grave
concern over the sharp decline ineconomic and social
conditions.

On June 6 2003 the IMF's executive board concluded the
Article IVConsultation with Zimbabwe.

Under Article IV of the
IMF's Articles of Agreement, it holds bilateraldiscussions with members,
usually every year.

A staff team visits the country, collects
economic and financial informationand discusses with officials the country's
economic developments andpolicies.

On return to headquarters, the
staff prepares a report, which forms thebasis for discussion by the
executive board.

At the conclusion of the discussion, the managing
director, as chairman ofthe board, summarises the views of executive
directors and this summary istransmitted to the country's
authorities.

In its June report, the IMF highlighted that Zimbabwe's
economy haddeteriorated progressively over the past four
years.

It said real output had dropped by one third, inflation had
galloped andsocial conditions were deteriorating.

Figures reveal
that between 1990 and 1998, the country's manufacturingsector grew by 6,6%,
while between 1998 and last year the trend wasreversed.

By the
end of last yearthe agricultural sector had declined by 40%.

Eric Bloch,
an independent economist, said much of the growth seen in the1990s was
primarily achieved in a comparatively short period between 1994and 1997 when
government positively pursued economic recovery and
growthpolicies.

CSO figures indicate that on a comparative basis,
between 1990 and last yearonly two sectors of the manufacturing industry
grew.

These were the wood and clothing industries whose production
figures rose by162,9% and 104,4% respectively.

Between 2000 and
2003 the country experienced a massive closure of 750firms, which led to
retrenchments of workers.

This week the country's industry
representative body, the Confederation ofZimbabwe Industries, said it would
soon release its annual report on theextent of the decline of the
manufacturing sector.

The study is meant to show the real state of
the manufacturing sector, whichhas declined over the years in sympathy with
the entire economy because of atrading environment.

Firms have
been battling foreign currency shortages, power cuts, loss ofcredit lines
and escalating costs of raw materials over the past four tofive
years.

The transport sector, which was badly affected by fuel
shortages, declinedby 61,8%, whilst the textile industry shrunk by 59,54%,
non-metals by 52,64%and wood industry by 52,47%.

Bloch said since
1998, every facet of the manufacturing sector had shrunkalmost continuously,
year-on-year.

The tobacco and drink sectors declined by 44,19% and
43,47% respectively,food by 42,05 %, paper 40,41% and clothing by
8,9%.

"The reduction in manufacturing output occurred in the last two
years, forprior to that, industrial contraction was relatively insignificant
inextent," Bloch said.

"This tragic development, markedly in
contrast with the indisputably greatprospects of industrial growth so
evidenced in the 20th century, isattributable to a variety of factors. First
and foremost was the destructionwhich characterised the manufacturing sector
as government intensified itscalamitous programme of land acquisition,
redistribution and resettlement."

In the past, Bloch said,
agriculture accounted for 18% of the country'sgross domestic
product.

"As production in agriculture became ever less, that sector
required lesserproduction from the manufacturing sector," he
said.

Accuracy of CSO statistics questionedArther
ChatoraTHE Consumer Council of Zimbabwe (CCZ) has questioned the accuracy
ofreports from the Central Statistical Office after its claims that the
rateof inflation had declined and foreign currency inflows had
improved.

CCZ spokesperson Tonderayi Mukeredzi questioned the accuracy of
the priceindex, citing the recent increase in the prices of most basic
commodities.

The Central Statistical Office this week said the annual
inflation rate haddeclined by 54,2% in June to 394,6% from 448,8% for the
month of May.

Mukeredzi said the figures released failed to reflect the
true picture ofthe consumers' position in relation to his spending power and
affordabilityof basic commodities.

He said a low-income earner
now requires $1 143 510 a month, up from theprevious figure of $1 069 000,
reflecting that the prices of goods in anotional basket have
increased.

"Since early this year we have noticed a steady increase
in the prices ofbasic commodities, which indicates to us that the mechanism
used forchecking of unfair increases of basic commodities are not working,"
saidMukeredzi.

He said there was a continued trend in price
increases which has pushed somecommodities beyond the reach of
many.

"From our weekly price monitors, we note with concern that the
prices ofmost basic goods are rising beyond the reach of many. This is
puzzling tothe consumer especially in the wake of official claims that the
rate ofinflation is declining," said Mukeredzi.

He called for the
extension of the list of commodities that the governmentrecently gazetted.
However, previous inflation figures from the CSO havealso been questioned
with calls from analysts for the review of the consumerbasket
used.

According to analysts, figures have become unreliable leading
to individualsand business ignoring them.

"We have to stop
considering them as a true reflection of the rate ofinflation. Businesses
should come together to produce accurate figuresbecause we cannot depend on
those from the CSO," said one analyst.

'Lack of ethical values fuels graft'Conrad
DubeLEADERSHIP and personal development consultant George Nyabadza
sayscorruption among Zimbabwean businesses has been given impetus by
managerswho pay lip service to the development of ethical values but do
nothing tounderpin them.

"Corruption has set in largely due to
management's lack of conscientisingworkers on upholding personal and
organisational values which are key togrowth in organisations," said
Nyabadza who is head of Achievement SuccessDynamics.

Nyabadza
told about a hundred delegates to a free life transformationalseminar last
Saturday that government's crackdown on corruption, thoughpositive, would
not achieve much if business leaders failed to align thecorporate mindset to
the organisation's strategic intent.

"One of the troubled financial
institutions' former boss once told me thathis organisation was money-driven
and had no time for values," Nyabadza toldthe participants.

He
said business executives cared less about the spiritual and social sideof
workers without which corruption and inefficiency creep in.

Nyabadza
said he drew inspiration from nine years of exposure to "cuttingedge
processes for personal and leadership development through numerousseminars I
have attended and through literally hundreds of books that I haveread both
casually and also with a serious academic research
bent".

"Achievement Success Dynamics is a vehicle to express my
purpose which Idescribe as 'transforming lives, transforming organisations,
transformingnations'," said Nyabadza. He said several globally recognised
cutting edgepersonal transformation programmes, namely Mind Power, Alpha
Mind Power and,more recently, Neuro Linguistic Programming (NLP), have also
helped inmoulding his desire to become a leadership
consultant.

Nyabadza, a chartered accountant by profession who is
currently studying fora doctorate in business leadership with the University
of South Africa, saidhe had used his knowledge and experience to develop two
"cutting edge"programmes, the Personal Revolution System T and Born To Lead
T.

The Personal Revolution SystemT and the Born To Lead T programmes are
both24-hour courses delivered separately over two days each to equip
delegateswith tools and processes to transform the essence of both their
businessesand personal lives.

"The programmes are comparable to
the best programmes available globally,"Nyabadza said.

The first
Personal Revolution Systems T seminar at the Crowne Plaza Hotel

will be
held on September 4 and 5.

In two transformational days, Nyabadza
said participants will be equippedwith skills to develop leadership
qualities.

Nyabadza said the purpose of these programmes is to
motivate individuals,organisations and nations to utilise their entire God
given potential."These programmes are designed to equip participants with
skills that enablethem to access the abundant resources for achievement and
success that areresident within them," he said.

Nyabadza
currently trains and consults across Africa, in the United Kingdomand the
United States.

In 1999 Nyabadza won the Zimbabwe Success Motivation
Institute (USA) Clientof the Year Award and went on to become not only the
first Zimbabwean, butalso the first person from Africa to win the
prestigious Success MotivationInternational World client of the Year Award
in the same year. Nyabadzaattended Stanford University's Advanced Management
College Programme and hasalso attended the Haggai Instititue of Advanced
Leadership trainingprogramme. He is a columnist in the Zimbabwe
Independent.

SA Spoornet/NRZ to meet over debtRoadwin
ChiraraSOUTH African rail operator Spoornet is scheduled to meet with the
NationalRailways of Zimbabwe (NRZ) to thrash out outstanding debt payment
terms.

Spoornet and the NRZ are also expected to discuss viability
problems facingthe Zimbabwean concern.

The NRZ is paying Spoornet
R6 million monthly after failing to return wagonsborrowed. Spoornet chief
executive officer, Dolly Mokgatle, said the companywas aware of the NRZ's
problems and was looking at ways of improving thesituation.

She
said it was in her company's interests to help the NRZ out of
itscrisis.

"We would like to work with the NRZ to improve its
operations because it isin our interest to do so as a company. However, this
will not be donethrough the press," said Mokgatle in an
interview.

"We should sit down and sort out our relations as
companies. We also have acontractual agreement and the financial terms of
that cannot be disclosed."

Operations at the cash-strapped NRZ have
been severely compromised by theunavailability of sufficient
locomotives.

The parastatal only has 60 usable locomotives when it
needs at least 108 tooperate viably.

Mokgatle said Spoornet was
willing to have open discussions with the NRZ.

"We do not believe in
a reaction approach," she said. "We should have anenvironment to discuss
with them."

Mokgatle, who is chairperson of the regional Southern
Africa RailwaysAssociation, castigated regional governments for failing to
run theirrailways and turning to privatisation as a last
resort.

"I find that governments are quick to turn to privatisation
as a solutionfor their inefficiencies in running their railways," said
Mokgatle.

Reserve Bank of Zimbabwe governor, Gideon Gono, has called
for turn-aroundstrategies for the country's many parastatals and local
authorities beforethey can access cheap development funds from the central
bank.

Gono said the unavailability of locomotives had impacted
negatively on theNRZ's ability to return wagons to
Spoornet.